Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1

Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC29A1 gene. ENT1 is one of the several different nucleoside transporters that exist in the body.

Function

ENT1 is a member of the equilibrative nucleoside transporter family. The protein is an integral membrane protein and is responsible for the transport of nucleosides across the cell membrane. The influx of nucleosides into a cell is essential for several physiological processes including nucleotide synthesis and the regulation of adenosine concentrations in the extracellular space.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the function of ENT1 have been associated with a variety of diseases. For example, ENT1 is a target for the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In cancer, certain drugs such as gemcitabine and fludarabine are transported into cells by ENT1. Therefore, the level of ENT1 expression in a tumor can influence the effectiveness of these drugs. In cardiovascular diseases, ENT1 plays a role in the protective effects of preconditioning, where brief periods of ischemia protect the heart from subsequent longer periods of ischemia.

See also

• SLC29A1
• Nucleoside transporter
• Nucleotide synthesis
• Gemcitabine
• Fludarabine